Govt rejects badger cull to curb cattle TB
Monday, 07 Jul 2008 16:39
The government has decided against a badger cull to control cattle TB
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The government has decided against a cull of badgers in areas of England to control the spread of TB in cattle.
Badgers are linked with the spread of the disease but environment secretary Hilary Benn told MPs that there is a risk a cull could make matters worse.
His decision follows a review of evidence from scientists and farming, veterinary and wildlife organisations.
Last year a report from the Independent Scientific Group on Cattle TB (ISG) concluded that "badger culling cannot meaningfully contribute to the future control of cattle TB".
Mr Benn said that his decision is in line with ISG advice and the government will not issue any licences to farmers to cull badgers for TB control.
He added that the government remains "open to the possibility of revisiting this policy under exceptional circumstances, or if new scientific evidence were to become available".
"While such a cull might work, it might also not work. It could end up making the disease worse if it was not sustained over time or delivered effectively, and public opposition, including the unwillingness of some landowners to take part, would render this more difficult," Mr Benn said.
"I do not think it would be right to take this risk."
The announcement is set to dismay the farming community, with the National Farmers Union saying last week that it may hold a protest against a no-cull decision.